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Why The Minnesota Timberwolves Are The NBA’s Best Young Team

By Nathan Grubel

Nov 27, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins (22), guard Zach LaVine (8), forward Kevin Garnett (21) and center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) look on during a timeout against the Sacramento Kings during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The The Timberwolves won 101-91. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins (22), guard Zach LaVine (8), forward Kevin Garnett (21) and center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) look on during a timeout against the Sacramento Kings during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The The Timberwolves won 101-91. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Behind Andrew Wiggins, Karl-Anthony Towns and Zach LaVine, the Minnesota Timberwolves are the NBA’s best young team

If you love basketball, then there’s a reason for you to be watching what the Minnesota Timberwolves are doing.

There’s nothing sexy about the team per se. They rank around league average in most basic statistical categories including points and rebounds per game, third in both free-throw percentage and attempts per game, and have a team PER below average at 11.83 per ESPN.com.

So what makes this team so attractive for basketball enthusiasts everywhere? It’s the individual parts that attract fans, not the sum.

Andrew Wiggins, Karl-Anthony Towns and Zach LaVine all have sky-high star potential in the NBA, and they’ve put it on display at times this season. One could argue they’re all making “the leap” at the same time.

Each one of them has a PER above average. The most impressive of the trio by that statistical measure has been Towns, who may already be one of the top 30 players in the league at age 20 (his 21.38 PER ranks 29th amongst all qualified players).

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Towns has a center’s size and a forward’s versatility. He’s proficient at playing with his back to the basket and facing his man up for a driving score or pull-up or spot-up jump shot.

He’s not taking the most shots on the team, but he’s still averaging a healthy 14.4 points per game on 52.6 percent shooting from the field.

I already mentioned that the Timberwolves are third in the league in both free-throw percentage and attempts per game and a lot of that has to do with Towns. He’s hitting on 86.7 percent of his shots from the charity stripe, a rarity for a player his size.

Defensively, Towns has been the anchor down low this team has needed for a while and has helped provide stability on that end of the floor. His blocked shots and forced turnovers have done wonders with getting the team out in transition, something that’s been a struggle at times when the defense hasn’t been able to get stops.

His two-way versatility is part of what is driving the potential of this young squad, but he’s not the only young stud the Timberwolves have that knows how to play on both ends.

Wiggins is a defensive monster in his own right. He goes out every night and guards the other team’s best player generally with good results. He knows how to play passing lanes, help on defense and force turnovers to get out on the break. He’s the perfect wing complement to Towns on defense.

Offensively, both Wiggins and LaVine have stepped up in taking more shots this year and the results have been above expectations. Both have shown off improved jump shots and have connected on more than 74 percent of their free-throws.

When in transition and controlled in the halfcourt, both have been go-to scoring options, especially Wiggins. His ability to post-up makes him a unique guard, and it certainly changes the way defenses have to guard him.

The double teams opposing teams send at Wiggins when he’s posting up frees an open shooter or cutting man and even though he’s struggled at times Wiggins has found the open man on occasion leading to easy scores. His court vision will evolve over time leading to more instances of this.

With their ability to shoot and penetrate the defense, Wiggins and LaVine make a dangerous tandem together, and along with Towns they form arguably the best young core the NBA has to offer.

With solid veterans around them such as Kevin Garnett, Kevin Martin and Andre Miller, the young Timberwolves are in good hands to develop and grow for years to come. The blend of athleticism and cerebral veteran intelligence is a beautiful thing to watch at times and is a big reason why the team is currently 8-9 after finishing among the worst teams in the league last season.

Minnesota isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. From the athletically-charged offensive attack to the defensive savvy of Towns and Garnett to the splendid passing of point guards Miller and Ricky Rubio, there’s a lot to like about this team.

Next: How High Did the Wolves Place In Our Future NBA Power Rankings?

Do yourself a favor and watch these youngsters grow up before your very eyes. You’ll only be entertained with how developed they already are.

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